DPMs Marković and Lajčák discuss Montenegro results in judiciary reform, fight against crime and corruption

Podgorica, Montenegro (7 June 2012) -- The Montenegrin Government, out of all the governments in the region, the most committed to EU integration, and Slovakia wlll not only support the country on 26 June, but it will also do its best to make the EU Council’s decision on the opening of accession talks consensual, Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčák said at the meeting with his Montenegrin counterpart and Justice and Human Rights Minister Duško Marković earlier today. 

DPM Marković said that Montenegro, due to its track record in combating organised crime, can not be perceived negatively any longer, adding that the same level of success in the area of corruption has not been achieved.

He informed Mr Lajčák about the implementation of the prosecutorial investigation concept in Montenegro, as well as about the results of bilateral police and prosecutorial cooperation with the countries of the region, with particular focus on implementing extradition treaties. The two officials agreed that the problems that Montenegro has been dealing with in the area of fight against organised crime and corruption are bigger in perception than in reality. 

The Deputy Prime Minister acquinted Mr Lajčák with the results in strengthening judiciary efficiency and availability, pointing out that since 2010 there have been only 8 000 backlog cases, representing the figure that much more developed legal systems can be envious of.

The meeting especially addressed the issue of bilateral collaboration between Montenegro and Slovakia. DPM Marković thanked the Slovak Government for the support provided in particular through the exchange of experiences in judicial reform in the context of European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

DPM  Lajčák voiced his Government’s willingness to continue to provide assistance to Montenegro in other fields as well within the Slovak development aid programme.